BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 576|
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 576
Author: McPherson (R) & Vasconcellos (D)
Amended: 5/31/00
Vote: 27
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : Not relevant
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 13-0, 1/26/00
AYES: Johnston, Alpert, Bowen, Burton, Escutia, Johnson,
Karnette, Kelley, Leslie, McPherson, Mountjoy, Perata,
Vasconcellos
SENATE FLOOR : 39-0, 1/31/00 (Consent)
AYES: Alarcon, Alpert, Bowen, Brulte, Burton, Chesbro,
Costa, Dunn, Escutia, Figueroa, Hayden, Haynes, Hughes,
Johannessen, Johnson, Johnston, Karnette, Kelley, Knight,
Leslie, Lewis, McPherson, Monteith, Morrow, Mountjoy,
Murray, O'Connell, Ortiz, Peace, Perata, Polanco,
Poochigian, Rainey, Schiff, Sher, Solis, Speier,
Vasconcellos, Wright
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 77-0, 7/6/00 (Passed on Consent) - See
last page for vote
SUBJECT : California Postsecondary Education Commission
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill appropriates $90,000 from the General
Fund to the California Postsecondary Education Commission
for expenditure by January 1, 2002, for the purpose of
CONTINUED
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funding a strategic action plan for language development,
teaching and learning.
Assembly Amendments reword language in the legislative
findings and declarations and clarify the study
requirements.
ANALYSIS : Existing law establishes the California
Postsecondary Education Commission which is required to
prepare a state plan for postsecondary education.
This bill appropriates $90,000 from the General Fund to the
California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) for
expenditure by January 1, 2002, for the purpose of funding
a strategic action plan for language development, teaching,
and learning. No funds shall be appropriated until CPEC
certifies to the State Controller that private sector
contributions of at least $50,000 have been received for
purposes that CPEC deems compatible with the purposes of
the bill.
CPEC shall bring together a representative advisory group
reflecting the myriad of organizations that specialize in
language learning.
CPEC would be required to contract with the Center for
Intensive Language and Culture, located in the City of
Monterey, for work related to the preparation of the
strategic action plan in an amount of at least $50,000.
The plan shall consist of a two-part study conducted by
CPEC pertaining to higher education foreign language
programs statewide. Part One shall consist of the study
and evaluation of existing programs. Part Two shall
consist of statewide findings and recommendations as
follows:
1.The conclusions and policy recommendations with respect
to future language learning needs pertinent to economic
development, international commerce, and cultural
development.
2.An evaluation of California's existing foreign language
resources, with specific policy or technical
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recommendations concerning how they may be better
utilized by the State.
3.Any conclusions regarding trends in language use and
demand patterns in California.
4.Any recommendations for possible methods of future
collaboration in the field of language instruction and
training among public and private schools, universities,
institutions, and organizations that specialize in
language learning.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: Yes Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
$90,000 contingent upon receipt of specified private sector
funds.
SUPPORT : (Verified 7/6/00)
Cal State University, Monterey Bay
City of Monterey
California Postsecondary Education Commission
Monterey Bay Education Science and Technology Center at UC
Santa Cruz
Monterey Regional Education Initiative
ARISTA Knowledge Systems
OPPOSITION : (Verified 7/6/00)
Department of Finance
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author, the need
for advanced language instruction in California is growing
rapidly, as one in three California residents speak a
language other than English. The development of a
strategic plan would help coordinate the efforts of
California's colleges, universities, K-12 schools, as well
as various private nonprofit organizations and
institutions, in teaching non-English language development.
Further, this measure would forge a public/private
partnership by requiring that funds be received from
private sector prior to CPEC expending any state resources.
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ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : The Department of Finance
states this bill "would result in an appropriation that is
not consistent with the Governor's priorities.
Furthermore, it is not clear that there is a need for the
plan required by this bill."
ASSEMBLY FLOOR :
AYES: Aanestad, Ackerman, Alquist, Aroner, Ashburn,
Baldwin, Bates, Battin, Baugh, Bock, Brewer, Briggs,
Calderon, Campbell, Cardenas, Cardoza, Cedillo, Corbett,
Correa, Cox, Cunneen, Davis, Dickerson, Ducheny, Dutra,
Firebaugh, Florez, Frusetta, Gallegos, Granlund, Havice,
Honda, House, Jackson, Keeley, Knox, Kuehl, Leach,
Lempert, Leonard, Longville, Lowenthal, Machado, Maddox,
Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni, McClintock, Migden, Nakano,
Olberg, Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco, Papan,
Pescetti, Reyes, Romero, Runner, Scott, Shelley,
Steinberg, Strickland, Strom-Martin, Thompson, Thomson,
Torlakson, Villaraigosa, Vincent, Washington, Wayne,
Wesson, Wiggins, Wildman, Wright, Zettel, Hertzberg
NC:jk 8/2/00 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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